Bug 1; Melissa 0

These past few days have been less than fun. Let's just say I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

On Sunday afternoon/early evening, I started to feel a little crampy in my stomach. I chocked it up to eating too much all at once at dinner (I've been known to do that), but it didn't end and it actually got worse. I got the bug ...

From then on, I was in bad shape. I will spare you the glamorous details, but that virus was awful and I thought I was going to die. I haven't had a stomach virus for 20 years, at least. I was shocked because I've eaten tuna fish sandwiches from 7-11, fruit that I haven't washed, rare hamburgers and I try everything at least once. My stomach is usually cast iron with no issues, but this time a bug got the best of me and I lost in a big way. I am hoping that I lost some weight also as a two-day bulimic/anorexic, but we will see.

Now, I am a little sheepish to go out to dinner or take a fork to a rich meal, but I will get back on my fat horse very soon.

The Menu has Changed

Food is a very big deal in my life, and lately it's been a lot more important and a lot less available.

As a pregnant woman, there is an extensive list of food I cannot eat ... sadly. The items on this list could harm me or my baby, so I have to cut things out like alcohol and caffeine. The only alcohol I've put in my mouth in the past four months is in Scope mouthwash. My kind friends let me smell their beer or wine while we are out, and that will be satisfaction enough for me for the next 6 months.

A ham sandwich is also out. I can't eat any cold cuts unless I heat them up and kill any possible bacteria that can carry listeria. What fun is that? So, in this case, a sandwich is not a hero.

Sushi or any raw fish is not allowed in my belly either. Usually, my sushi of choice is a spicy tuna roll of some sort, but tuna is the biggest culprit for mercury intake. Sushi will have to wait, but hibachi is allowed, so Japanese food isn't completely banned.

However, Greek food is useless to me if I can't incorporate any feta cheese. Soft and unpasteurized cheeses are out of question, including the blue cheese dressing that accompanies buffalo wings. I don't love stinky cheese, so I'm not bothered by this, but Greek and Turkish foods are out.

Most recently, I've found out that French fries, hash browns and potato chips all have acrylamide in them, which is a cancer-causing agent, so those have been added to the list.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've been eating like a champ lately because pizza, pasta and salad are all on my crave list, especially balsamic or zesty dressings. Also, the doctor has said that I need to eat five small meals a day, and my family and friends don't let me skip a meal, which I kind of like.

So, the plan is that when this baby pops out, I'm getting a Super Club hero from TJ's Hero Shop in Patchogue and picking up a six-pack of Franzikaner Heferweisen for lunch, and then going to Sumou to get sushi and wine for dinner. I may get tipsy real quick, but it will be delicious. Who wants to join me?